Trump Orders Federal Agencies to Cut Ties with Anthropic's AI Tool Claude
Federal Agencies Face Challenges with Claude AI Tool
In a significant move, President Trump has instructed federal agencies to sever connections with Anthropic, the developer of the AI tool Claude. This directive was issued on Friday amidst ongoing tensions with the Pentagon regarding the regulations for utilizing Claude in military operations. Trump mandated an immediate cessation of all federal use of Anthropic's technology, although he allowed for a six-month transition period for departments like Defense, where Claude is already extensively utilized.
The General Services Administration (GSA) swiftly acted on this order, terminating its agreement with Anthropic and removing the company from USAi.gov and its Multiple Award Schedule, as confirmed by statements from Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum and the GSA.
Impact on Various Agencies
This decision could significantly affect multiple federal agencies. Claude was made widely accessible across the government last year through the GSA agreement, impacting all three branches. Reports indicate its usage or testing in several departments, including:
- The Department of Health and Human Services, where personnel can securely utilize the tool for queries.
- The Office of Personnel Management, which has included it in its AI inventory as part of a pilot program.
- The Department of Energy, with extensive access at major facilities like Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.
- NASA, where the Jet Propulsion Laboratory recently reported using Claude to assist in planning the first AI-guided drive on Mars.
If the ban remains in effect, these initiatives could experience significant disruptions as teams rush to find alternatives or dismantle their reliance on Claude.
Key Points to Understand
The central issue arises from the Pentagon's demand for unrestricted access to Claude for any lawful military application. Anthropic has set clear boundaries: no mass surveillance and no autonomous weaponry. Defense officials and Trump have criticized these limitations as excessive, with some labeling them as 'woke', asserting that national security technology decisions should be made by the U.S. government rather than a private entity.
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In a post on Truth Social, Trump did not hold back, criticizing Anthropic as an 'out-of-control, Radical Left AI company' led by individuals disconnected from reality. He stated, 'WE will decide the fate of our Country — NOT some out-of-control, Radical Left AI company... MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!'